Drivers urged to 'Think Bike' after man sentenced for colliding with motorcyclist

The police are reminding drivers of the importance of looking out for motorcycles on the roads after an American man was sentenced for colliding with a motorcyclist in Swindon.

Paul Greenall, 45, of Benjamin Way, Healdsburg, California, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving and driving without insurance.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and required to pay £18,000 in compensation to the victim, plus a £1,000 fine.
At around 3.35pm on Sunday, Greenall – who was driving a Volvo V40 – pulled out from a side road into the A3102 near Spittleborough Roundabout, into the pathway of a Kawasaki motorbike.
The rider of the bike, a man in his 20s, suffered serious injuries in the collision and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Greenall was subsequently arrested and charged with the offences.
Roads Policing officer PC Paul Davis said: “This was a needless collision in which a moment’s careless driving at a junction has left a motorcyclist with serious, potentially life-changing injuries.
“We have had a number of recent serious collisions involving motorcycles and I want to remind drivers of the importance of being aware of motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users, particularly during the summer months.
“Before pulling out of junctions, turning, changing lanes or opening vehicle doors, drivers should consciously ‘Think Bike’ and check carefully for motorcycles that are harder to spot than larger vehicles.
“I would also encourage motorcyclists to take extra care on the roads, particularly by approaching bends, corners and junctions at safe speeds, as the consequences of not doing so, as we see all too regularly, can be fatal.”